Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Eightcap, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When it comes to choosing an online broker, understanding trustworthiness and regulatory standards is key. IG, founded in 1974, stands out with an impressive Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting the highest level of trust. As a publicly traded bank, IG holds 8 Tier-1 licenses, signaling a strong commitment to regulatory compliance. Additionally, IG boasts 2 Tier-2 licenses, further solidifying its reputation for reliability in the financial sector.
Comparatively, Eightcap, which was established in 2009, offers a respectable Trust Score of 85. Although not a publicly traded company or a bank, Eightcap demonstrates a commendable level of trust with 3 Tier-1 licenses under its belt. However, it holds no Tier-2 licenses, which may be a consideration for some users. While both brokers have their strengths, IG's extensive history and regulatory credentials give it a distinct edge for those prioritizing trust and control in an online trading partner.
| Feature |
IG
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
IG and Eightcap both compete on pricing, but they target slightly different traders. IG earns 5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #8 of 63 at ForexBrokers.com, while Eightcap scores 4/5 stars and ranks #27 of 63. On headline pricing, Eightcap’s Raw account comes in around 0.76 pips all-in on EUR/USD (0.06-pip average spread plus a $3.50 per side commission), which is just under the ~0.8-pip industry average. By comparison, IG’s Forex Direct (DMA) spread averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023; with a top-tier commission of about 0.2 pips round turn, the total works out near 0.82 pips. That means Eightcap’s Raw account can undercut IG’s DMA all-in rate out of the box, while IG’s strengths show up for high-volume and professional traders.
IG offers both spread-only CFD pricing and a commission-based DMA option via its L2 Dealer platform (minimum £1,000), with tiered commissions based on monthly volume. For CFDs, IG’s typical EUR/USD spread during the main session averaged 0.69 pips in July 2023, 0.98 pips across all sessions globally (IG US averaged 1.18 pips), and widened during lower-liquidity hours. Active-trader rebates for qualifying professionals can reduce CFD spreads by 10% to 20%; for example, a 20% rebate on a 0.76-pip spread lowers the effective cost to about 0.60 pips. On the DMA side, the July 2023 average spread was 0.62 pips, and at the best commission tier (about 0.2 pips round turn) the all-in cost is roughly 0.82 pips, with deeper discounts tied to very high monthly volumes.
Eightcap keeps pricing simple with two choices: the spread-only Standard account or the commission-based Raw account. The Raw account lists a 0.06-pip average spread; after the $3.50 per side commission, the all-in cost is roughly 0.76 pips—slightly below the industry average and generally sharper than IG’s DMA figure cited above unless you qualify for IG’s higher-volume discounts or rebates. Overall, Eightcap is competitive, though it is still a touch pricier than the very lowest-cost brokers.
| Feature |
IG
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.0 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG offers a far wider range of markets than Eightcap. You can trade forex with either broker (via CFDs or spot), but IG lists about 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while Eightcap has around 800 symbols and 56 pairs. IG also lets you buy exchange-traded shares directly on U.S. and international exchanges (think Apple or Vodafone), something Eightcap doesn’t provide.
Feature-wise, Eightcap supports copy trading, whereas IG does not. For crypto, IG offers both actual coins and crypto derivatives, while Eightcap offers only crypto derivatives. Reflecting this breadth, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 for Range of Investments, compared with Eightcap’s 3.5 stars and #41 ranking. Pick IG if you want maximum market choice and direct share dealing; choose Eightcap if copy trading is a priority and a smaller lineup is acceptable.
| Feature |
IG
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 800 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
IG and Eightcap both tick the basics: free demo (paper) trading, web and Windows desktop platforms, and the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4). The big differences come down to extras. IG adds its own proprietary platform built in-house, while Eightcap skips that but supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and offers copy trading—something IG doesn’t provide. Both brokers let you place trades directly from charts.
For tools, IG lists 20 drawing tools versus Eightcap’s 15, while indicator counts weren’t disclosed. Watchlists are slightly deeper at Eightcap (7 fields) compared with IG (5). In independent testing, IG earns a higher score: 5 stars and #2 of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools at ForexBrokers.com, versus Eightcap’s 4 stars and #39. In short, pick IG if you want a polished in-house platform and top-tier ratings; choose Eightcap if MT5 and copy trading are must-haves.
| Feature |
IG
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and Eightcap both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, real-time watchlists, and watchlist syncing with your online account. Charting is strong on both: you can draw trendlines, switch between multiple time frames (intraday to weekly), and your drawings auto-save. IG edges ahead on built-in charting tools with 33 technical studies, compared with 30 on Eightcap.
In independent testing, IG earns 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Eightcap scores 4 stars and ranks #39. If you want the highest-rated mobile trading app with more indicators, IG is the better pick. Eightcap covers the essentials and remains a capable choice for trading on the go.
| Feature |
IG
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IG and Eightcap both cover the basics for market research with daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. IG goes further by delivering forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, while Eightcap does not. IG also includes extra research tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading (Signal Centre), whereas Eightcap does not offer these. Neither broker provides Trading Central.
Ratings reflect the gap: IG earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Eightcap holds 3.5 stars and ranks #40. If you want deeper news and more third-party research tools, IG is the stronger choice. If you just need everyday essentials like commentary, sentiment, and a calendar, Eightcap covers that.
| Feature |
IG
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by IG and Eightcap, both platforms provide ample educational materials, including articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFD trading. IG stands out by hosting monthly online webinars, while Eightcap does not offer this feature. Both platforms have searchable archives of recorded webinars, allowing users to access past sessions at their convenience. IG excels further by offering a diverse range of beginner and advanced educational videos, catering to traders at different skill levels. In contrast, Eightcap offers beginner-focused videos but falls short on advanced topics.
IG also provides a comprehensive investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, matching the offering from Eightcap. With a perfect 5-star rating for education, IG is ranked number one out of 63 brokers in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its commitment to providing top-notch learning resources for traders. Eightcap, with a 3.5-star rating and ranked at 40th, presents a decent but less extensive educational offering for beginners, making IG the preferred choice for those seeking a thorough educational foundation in trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than Eightcap. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Eightcap finished with an overall rank of #38.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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IG provides the option to buy both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, while Eightcap only offers the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers IG and Eightcap, IG provides more flexible options with support for ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while Eightcap, although lacking ACH/SEPA transfer support, offers Skrill alongside PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transactions.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Eightcap Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Eightcap | |
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| Regulation | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 800 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.0 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IG Review | Eightcap Review |
| Overall | IG | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Eightcap Review |
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